As we navigate an era of unprecedented change, the books we choose to spend time with serve as both a compass and a mirror. My 2025 non-fiction reading list has been a deep dive into the forces shaping our world—from the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence to the enduring strength of the human spirit. Looking back, three major themes emerged that feel particularly relevant to the challenges and opportunities we face today.
The Rise of the Machines: Navigating the AI Frontier A significant portion of my reading focused on the technological shift of our generation: Artificial Intelligence. Works like AI for Small Business by Phil Pallen and The AI Driven Leadership by Geoff Woods highlight a shift from viewing AI as a distant threat to embracing it as a collaborative tool. These books, alongside Co-Intelligence by Ethan Mollick and Superagency by Reid Hoffman, argue that the “Singularity” isn’t just coming; it is already beginning to redefine how we lead and innovate. The recurring lesson here is that while technology provides the scale, human “co-intelligence” provides the soul.
The Battle for the American Narrative Another prominent theme across the list is the examination of our current social and political landscape. Through titles like Modern Warriors by Pete Hegseth, Outrage, Inc. by Derek Hunter, and For Love of Country by Tulsi Gabbard, there is a clear focus on the preservation of traditional values and the critique of modern institutional bias. Authors like Ari Fleischer (Suppression, Deception, Snobbery, and Bias) and Tammy Bruce (Fear Itself) challenge us to look past the “outrage” cycle to find a more grounded, principled path forward. These works serve as a reminder that a healthy society requires both vigilance and a commitment to truth over convenience.
Resilience and the Power of Personal Agency Interspersed with high-level strategy and social commentary were deeply personal stories of grit. Whether it was Alex Honnold’s Alone on the Wall, Jeremy Renner’s My Next Breath, or the shared experiences in Unbroken Bonds by Johnny Joey Jones, these narratives center on the incredible capacity of individuals to overcome the “unthinkable”. These books remind us that personal agency—the choice to be brave or to wrestle with the divine, as Jordan Peterson explores in We Who Wrestle with God—is the ultimate differentiator in life.
Growth Through Direct Inquiry Finally, a smaller but vital subset of books focused on the mechanics of interpersonal growth. From Trey Gowdy’s Doesn’t Hurt to Ask to Tony Robbins’ Unleash the Power Within, the theme of “asking better questions” emerged as a bridge between professional success and personal fulfillment. These authors argue that growth isn’t a passive event; it is a discipline of inquiry and action.
As I close the chapter on this year’s list, the overarching takeaway is one of cautious optimism. While the “AI Valley” may be unsettling and our political divisions deep, the stories of individual resilience and the practical guides for new leadership provide a clear roadmap. We aren’t just observers of the future; through the wisdom we collect and the actions we take, we are its architects.